The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-02-03
SO NEARLY ESTRANGED.

81 n NEAhLH ESIfGA n ED
Bell Bronson was lively little bru-
nette of seventeen. Her form. rounded
and graceful. would have disturbed the
heart of an anchOrite; her large dark
eyes. full of sparkle when she was mer-
ry. and softening when her features
we're in repose, were just such eyes as
most men like to meet. Parted in front,
her rich black hair fell in wavy masses
down her matchless shoulders, forming
a pleasing contrast with the white,
rounded neck and the rich complexion.
In addition to such attractions were
those of the voice and laugh. The
former was music itself; the latter was
like the ripping twittering melody of
many drops from q fountain falling into
a hollow basin.
To look at her, one would have
thought hers nature which could nev-
er grieve; but such was not the case.
On the contrary. in spite of her lively
manner, Bell Bronson possessed heart
full of sympathy, and often wept when
alone over the sufferings of others.
In more substantial manner than
by tears she would endeavor to scothe
the afflicted. Her purse, though never
overstocked, was often open to Eelp the
poor.
1t was in the time when people werc
arrested for debt. Her own father had,
when she was child, died in prison
because he could not pay off his credi-
tors.
Since then. by giving music-lessons,
and by other means, her mother had
nfni
daughter until the latter was old enough
to assist her, when they succeeded in
laying by a small sum for a rainy
day"
At seventeen Bell was engaged to a
promising lawyer named Henry Rich
ards. a noble young man. who never
practised his profession except in the
right cause.
The lovers resided near each other,
Richard occupying a small cottage op-
posite the home of his betrothed. whose
bright face at the window often cheered
him in the midst of his day-sludies, and
perhaps drew him little too much
away from them.
1t was indeed sweet recreation to the
young lawyer to look up, now and then,
10 see the bright eyes OF the young wo-
man he loved peering laughingly at
him through the window-panes.
One day Bell observed slender
young man enter the lawyers cottage.
After that she noticed that her lover,
even when in her company, seemed
thoughtful and distracted.
She asked him what made him SO,
when he answered that friend of his
Tom Brace "a rather wild young man,
had run himself into debt, and was
liable any moment to be arrested.
She learned that the slender youth
she had seen enter his cottage was the
person he alluded to.
Finally the brow of Richards cleared,
and Bell was as merry as bird over
the change. Sne forbore questioning
him, but she doubted not that he had
found some way to help his friend.
A week passed.; the day fixed for the
union of the young couple was fast ap-
preaching.
"Bell, said Richards to the girl one
evening, Il believe our wedding-day
was to have been on the fourteenth OF
the present month, was it not. dear?'
A blush and a pressure of the hand
was the sweet response.
..Excuse me. but if you are willing
we will put it off-well, say two weeks
later"
Bell turned aside her head and slight
ly pouted; but female modesty prevented
her showing disapproval
Curiosity, however, made her play
fully enquire his reason for this change.
You will pardon me-" he answered.
"but not even to you. dearest. must l
explain my reason"
Another pout. but he kissed it away.
"You shall know eventually" he said
before departing.
A few days later. at about three
o'clock, Bell was al the window, when
she saw a female enter Richards's cot
tage.
She did not see the visitors face. but
she did not fail to notice that her hair
was beautiful, of light chestnut, and
falling in thick masses down her shout
ders.
An hour passed, and still she did no,
see the lady leave the house.
A hot flush mounted on the watcher s
cheek. and she tapped the floor restless.
ly with her high-heeled slippers.
Suddenly she behelG sight which
made her feel sick and faint
Richards was now near the window,
so that she could see plainly the sigh
which so shocked her. In a word. the
lady visitor had advanced to the law
yer's side and but both arms round his
neck.
The Young lawyers old housekeeper
Martha Warren, was in his room at the
same time.
There she stood near the other win
dow, looking on with an air OF the ut
most indifference.
Instinctively Bell dropped the curtain
of her window, and burying her face II
her hands wept like q child.
He had wanted to put off their wed
dinq-day. Alas. what pertidy! He hal
seen another young lady, whom h'
doubtless loved better than Bell. anC
that was why he mad not been willing
to explain the reason when she had ask
| ed him.
| How could she doubt it? Had sh,
not seen the visitor embrace her lover
Surely her eyes could not have deceived
| her.
To make assurance doubly sure, how
eyer, she would look again. She di,
SO. and there sat the lady-visitor. still
with an arm round Richards neck. AM
that brazen housekseper looking on.
Bell was now peeping through tn
curtain, SO that Richards, who. nov
and then. looked uueasily towards he
window, could not see her.
No wonder he felt uneasy. How muc
more so would he feel did he know sh
WAS watching him.